The UTC Council of Scholars was established in 1985 with the election of five Charter
Members. The previous year, a planning committee had been charged with the task of
developing a proposal for such a Council, an idea originated by Professor Earl Davis
(Education), and their proposal, with the support of the Administration, had been
adopted for funding by the University of Chattanooga Foundation year. The Charter
Members were given responsibility for developing the organizational structures and
procedures of the group; determining membership categories and criteria; electing
additional initial members of the Council; and for guiding the Council in its initial
phases. The first Convener of the Council was Professor Reed Sanderlin (English).
The first induction included 17 individuals (5 Charter Members and 12 Members). It
was decided that depending on future funding no more than ten percent of the tenured
and tenure-track faculty of UTC should be inducted to the Council.

The purpose of the Council, as originally proposed, was “for recognition of those
faculty members who have distinguished themselves through scholarly activities and
creative achievements.”